Rib pain sometimes with swelling any ideas?

[Clare184]

Hi wondering if anyone has had anything similar and can shed some light on what might be the cause.

For about 18 months now I have had discomfort on my bottom left rib it feels like it's bruised but I haven't bumped it and obviously would expect it to have got better by now. It's as if the actual bone hurts, the pain comes and goes sometimes it is constantly tender for a few days and then it goes away. I switched to wearing Non-Wired bras because wired ones made it too uncomfortable. My right rib is also sore but not as often.

Every now and again the area that hurts looks swollen but most of the time it doesn't. It's all very vague and random!

[deniseinmilden]

It sounds like one for the Dr who can refer you to a specialist for x-rays and blood tests.

I definitely think you should take this seriously as it shouldn't be happening!

[Clare184 in reply to deniseinmilden]

Thanks Denise I did see someone at a walk in centre when it first appeared and was told to see gp to be referred for a scan but the gp said it was fine and no need to investigate further I just can't help but to worry about why the other doctor wanted it to be checked more thoroughly I think I will have to go back just for peace of mind but feel like I'm wasting the doctors time

[deniseinmilden in reply to Clare184]

It is your health and your life that is on the line here and they are getting paid for the time you see them.

If it's nothing or something simple it will be worth all the money in the NHS just to give you peace of mind - much cheaper than mental health care!!

You are definitely NOT wasting anyone's time and there's no reason why you are any less important than anyone else!

The fact that it's gone on this long and not resolved itself shows that you're GP's response was wrong last time and the walk-in centre person was right - it should have been checked more thoroughly.

Can you try to see someone else in the practice? If not go back with confidence that you were right to ask about it and your Dr was wrong to dismiss it. There's a chance that they will be sorry that they were wrong and at least you know they shouldn't dismiss it a second time.

I'll be with you in your head rooting for you and I'll stay with you while you sit tight and ask again, if necessary, to "at least have it checked, please"!

Let's get this sorted! Go for it!

[Clare184 in reply to deniseinmilden]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply Denise and reassuring me that I am not wasting everyone's time I will get booked in to have it looked at properly

[deniseinmilden in reply to Clare184]

Thank you! And remember you're not alone - all you have to do is think of these messages and it'll give you extra strength! 😎 x

[Sirbikealot]

I had this symptoms, too, years ago and I remember I went to see a doc who said it was an inflammation of the skin layer from the rib. Eventually it went away and I never followed up.

Are you b12 and iron deficient?

[Clare184 in reply to Sirbikealot]

Yes I have B12 jabs every 8 weeks and my next one is on Monday so I can feel that I'm low. Did the doctor say just to leave it and it would go?

[Sirbikealot in reply to Clare184]

Yes, but I don’t recall it took 18 month like in your case. Probably better to double check with your GP and just raise it.

[Clare184 in reply to Sirbikealot]

Thanks, I will go back and get it looked at again its not horrendously painful but the fact it's been so long does worry me